Planning a larger kink event like Winter Wickedness is stressful enough, without adding in efforts to shut it down by the Radical Right. Although we recognized an effort such as this is largely based on misinformation and people’s fear of the unknown, we had invested significant amounts of time, effort and capitol, and were unwilling to be swayed by biased attempts to cancel the event.

With two weeks left before opening day, we heard that a local Christian radio station had done an inflammatory story on our event. Subsequently, the host hotel began receiving a smattering of calls from the listeners demanding the event’s cancellation. We initially contacted the NCSF to consult with their specialists as a preparatory step, in case this was picked up by the mainstream media.

A week later, the Radical Right had discovered their efforts were not producing the desired effect. They stepped it up and began contacting the mainstream media, the local authorities, including the health dept, the fire marshal, the local police dept, etc – in an effort to bring more pressure. We again reached out to the NCSF, which had Susan on the case, and Robin coming in for the event. Between the coordination of the Action Alert e-mails, Robin on the ground as the local media spokesperson, Susan keeping the heat on, and calling in to offer the media another voice – we had the NCSF as an invaluable ally in maintaining our sexual freedoms.

Although what it is that we do (WIITWD) is legal, safe, sane and consensual and had been given the go ahead by the local and state authorities; the radical right’s sensationalism, grassroots efforts and pointed innuendos implying inappropriate behavior, can create enough fear to jeopardize a venue. The NCSF has proven to us, beyond any doubt, that they are willing and able to fight back the bias and discriminatory efforts against us. The NCSF is a valuable asset to the Kink, Leather, GLBT and Alt Sex lifestyles. Adventures In Sexuality (AIS) is proud to be an NCSF Coalition Partner and will continue to bring the NCSF to all our events.

NCSF joins state and local representatives in urging everyone to file a complaint if they were present at the Eagle on September 10th, when the Atlanta police illegally detained 62 patrons and 8 employees and searched them without a warrant, reasonable suspicion, or probable cause. You can file a complaint with the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Citizen Review Board which is investigating the raid:

CONFIDENTIALITY IS GUARANTEED UNDER ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE. If you ask a lawyer for legal advice, the lawyer can't reveal anything you tell him, including your name: the police can't require it, your name can't be subpoenaed, and the court can't demand it. If a lawyer breaks attorney-client privilege, he or she will be disbarred.

"It's so important that our patrons come forward," says Richard Ramey, co-owner of the Eagle. "Everyone needs to hear how badly our civil rights were violated."

"Please call today!" urges Susan Wright, spokesperson for NCSF. "This is a clear human rights violation. If we don't speak up, they won't stop persecuting us. We are the only ones who can fight for our rights."

National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) is funded solely by donations. Please visit our website to make a donation and help support this ongoing work: www.ncsfreedom.org

Please distribute this Action Alert widely (filed November 3, 2009)

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National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF)

The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances the equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual and relationship expression. NCSF advances the rights and advocates for consenting adults in the SM-Leather-Fetish, swing, and polyamory communities. We pursue our vision through direct services, education, advocacy, and outreach in conjunction with our partner organizations to directly benefit these communities.

This is a big protest and rally at Sheridan Square this Saturday. Susan Wright, Spokesperson for NCSF, will be speaking out at the rally against the arrests of professional Dominatrices for prostitution. In order to help raise awareness of the arrests of pro-Dommes, NCSF has joined the Stop the Arrests coalition along with the Anti-Violence Project and Queer Justice League.

Please come even if you don't want to participate in the protest. It helps to draw a crowd to show this is an issue that's important to people.video links:

Please make a phone call now to support the Holiday Inn Worthington, the host hotel for Adventures In Sexuality's (AIS) Winter Wickedness Event taking place February 6-8th. The religious extremist group, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, along with a local religious radio station in the Columbus, Ohio, area are running a smear campaign against this pansexual BDSM event.

Peter LaBarbara of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality calls the event "a freakish sadomasochistic perversion-fest" and urges people to call the hotel's corporate headquarters to pressure them into canceling "for the sake of decency and public health."

Bob Burney, a religious extremist Talk Radio DJ, devoted an entire segment of his show slamming Winter Wickedness and attempting to link the event with non-consensual and criminal activities. He urged his listeners to call and mount a campaign against the hotel. (Tuesday, Part 3 starting at 10 min 42sec: ) Click here to listen.

It will only take a minute for you to help! It doesn't matter where you live or if you're not going to
attend this event. Please call the Intercontinental Hotels Group Corporate Customer service line at 800-621-0555, then press option 1, then option 5, and thank them for not discriminating against groups, and for being willing to face minor adversity for the sake of our freedom.

You can also call the Holiday Inn Columbus-Worthington today at 614-436-0700 – they'll be very glad to hear a friendly voice to counter the hatred of the religious extremists.

Suggested points to make:
1. Thank you for upholding the Fair Accommodations Act and choosing not to discriminate against legal events.

2. Please don't let a small number of religious extremists manipulate you by drumming up fear with their misinformation campaigns.

3. There are over 200 weekend-long BDSM events that take place every year in America – we bring in a lot of revenue in these hard times. We like to stay at hotel chains where we have been welcomed when we're traveling on personal or business travel.

4. Organizers of BDSM events such as Winter Wickedness at The Holiday Inn comply with state and local laws prohibiting public sexual intercourse and other forms of sexual intimacy. Demonstrations, lectures and discussion groups as well as dinners and evening parties compose the variety of offerings to guests, nothing different from any of the other hundreds of conventions hosted by your franchisees on a weekly basis.

March 8, 2007 - An informational hearing has been scheduled for March 8 at San Francisco City Hall from 10-12:30. Kink.com needs lots of people to show up and support Kink.com's right to be in business. NCSF recommends that you wear business or casual clothes so that our community looks like the neighbors â€“ we need to show them that we won't abide discrimination and persecution against alt sex practices in the heart of San Francisco. There's no need to speak or out yourself, you can simply attend in support.

NCSF Action Alert

NATIONAL COALITION FOR SEXUAL FREEDOM

Kink.com Needs Your SupportAn informational hearing has been scheduled for March 8 at San Francisco City Hall from 10-12:30. Kink.com needs lots of people to show up and support Kink.com's right to be in business. NCSF recommends that you wear business or casual clothes so that our community looks like the neighbors - we need to show them that we won't abide discrimination and persecution against alt sex practices in the heart of San Francisco. There's no need to speak or out yourself, you can simply attend in support.

Kink.com is facing community opposition for their purchase of San Francisco's State Armory and Arsenal building, a 200,000-square-foot landmarked building in the Mission District. Kink.com is an online fetish film company devoted to bondage and sadomasochism, and the area is zoned for this sort of use.

According to ABC local news, a protest was organized on February 7th by a group called the Mission Armory Collective who marched in front of the Armory. Though Kink.com has only moved 9 blocks from their former location, a few neighbors are reacting badly:

Sam Ruiz, Mission Armory Collective: "That is not the appropriate place for Kink.com. It's in the hub of a residential community, the gateway to the Mission District."

Marc Holcomb, San Francisco Resident: "Just having the thought in my head that I'm right next to this, living right next to this is nasty." http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=5017811

The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is a national organization committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF is primarily focused on the rights of consenting adults in the SM-leather-fetish, swing, and polyamory communities, who often face discrimination because of their sexual expression.

August 30, 2006 - Southern Decadence, a world-famous LGBT event, was slated to start August 31st. According to an evangelical Christian group that regularly demonstrates at LGBT events, "Hurricane Katrina has put an end to the annual celebration of sin."

NCSF Action Alert

Kink Blamed for Hurricane Katrina by Religious Political Extremists

Southern Decadence, a world-famous LGBT event, was slated to start August 31st. According to an evangelical Christian group that regularly demonstrates at LGBT events, "Hurricane Katrina has put an end to the annual celebration of sin." (http://www.repentamerica.com/pr_hurricanekatrina.html)

"NCSF is appalled that this religious political extremist group is using a national tragedy to further their own goals," says Susan Wright, NCSF Spokesperson. "Now is the time for everyone to join together in sympathy and support for our Southern brothers and sisters."

Many local leather organizations including Mr. and Ms. Louisiana Leather base their groups' events around Southern Decadence. (http://www.nola.com/festivals/southerndecadence.ssf) Other events such as French Connection's N'awlins in November, one of the country's finest swing lifestyle conventions held every November, may also be affected by this tragic storm.

NCSF urges you to extend a helping hand to all people in the Southern states who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones by sending a donation to the Red Cross Relief Fund. (https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp)

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A project of NCSF and the NCSF Foundation

The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is a national organization committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF is primarily focused on the rights of consenting adults in the SM-leather-fetish, swing, and polyamory communities, who often face discrimination because of their sexual expression.

Please take a moment to support the Alternative Hedonistic Society, of Kansas City, MO (www.ahs-kc.org). Their AHS Obsessive Fetish Ball, which did not include nudity or sexual activities, was cancelled at the last moment by the Holiday Inn Olathe. A reporter from FOX News was tipped off and contacted the Holiday Inn. AHS was completely open about the nature of the event with both the police and the Holiday Inn prior to signing a contract, but the management responded to the reporter's inquiry by canceling the event. AHS is still trying to resolve this situation with the Holiday Inn Olathe and needs your help.

Please read NCSF's letter to the Holiday Inn Olathe, Kansas, then send the postcard attached below. Thank you for your help in fighting for our rights!

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Steve Olson, President
Holiday Inn Olathe

Dear Mr. Olson,

We would like to express our serious concerns regarding your cancellation of the AHS Obsessive Fetish Ball one day before the event was to take place on August 13, 2004.

The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is a national organization committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF is primarily focused on the rights of consenting adults in the SM- leather-fetish, swing, and polyamory communities, who often face discrimination because of their sexual expression. NCSF directly represents tens of thousands of consenting adults across the US, and supports the millions of adults who do alternative sexual expression.

In the view of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) your cancellation is based on a complete misunderstanding of the nature of this charitable, social event in which no nudity or sexual activities were scheduled to take place. The event organizers had ongoing discussions with the Olathe Police to ensure their complete compliance with city ordinances, and the organizers welcomed the police in walking through the event at any time.

In fact, it appears the sole reason your management canceled this contract was because a reporter from the socially conservative FOX News contacted you regarding the event. Perhaps you are not aware that religious political extremist groups regularly attack events held by the alternative sexuality communities. These groups often alert the media to pressure venues into refusing to hold adult events. This tactic is both discriminatory and reprehensible. NCSF expects businesses to abide by the terms of their lawful contracts and refuse to be manipulated in this manner.

Over 250 major events are produced by the SM-leather-fetish, swing and polyamory communities every year in hotels and public venues. In many cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue are generated for the host venue and local community. Your proactive response to resolving this issue of discrimination will go far in ensuring that our constituents continue to do business with Holiday Inn.

Sincerely,
Susan Wright
SpokespersonNCSF

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Please write a letter to the Holiday Inn Olathe protesting their unfair cancellation of the AHS Obsessive Fetish Ball. E-mail is fine, but fax or snail mail is even better. A postcard you can cut and paste follows. For those who don't live or travel to KC, you can write to the InterContinental Hotels Group, the franchiser of all Holiday Inns and say you won't stay in ANY Holiday Inn until this is resolved.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dear Holiday Inn Olathe,

I am writing to protest your cancellation of the AHS Obsessive Fetish Ball in August, 2004. The organizers of the ball made sure they would comply with state and local laws, yet without justifiable reason, you prevented this event from taking place.

The fact that you breeched your contract with AHS one day prior to the event caused many problems for the organizers and the attendees, some of whom flew in from other states to participate in this charitable event. You should reimburse not only the producers for the lost revenue, but also the individuals who were unfairly denied access to this event at the last moment.

I will certainly not stay at your hotel in the future, nor will I recommend your hotel to visitors or business associates.